Flush tank construction



July 30, 1940. l c. H. TOPP 2,209,640

FLUSH TANK CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet l A jZTa//p n IKNVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

JUy 30, l940 3. H. TOPP `2,209,640

FLUSH TANK CONSTRUCTION Filed April 22, 199

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lill/l L 7 6 /0 gz K i l, r J W C'. H1, 21o/?, l M INVENTOR,

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7 ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT 10pm@ FLUSH TANK CONSTRUCTION Y Charles H. Topp, Huntington, W. Va.

Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,513

Y 1 Claim.

This invention relates to flush tank construction, and more particularly to the water control mechanism thereof, the primary object of the invention being to provide means for creating a siphonic action Within the discharge pipe of the tank to discharge the water, thereby eliminating the usual ball valves commonly employed in controlling the water of ush tanks, and which frequently become defective, allowing the water to leak.

An important object of the invention is to provide means which will create an air-lock within the discharge pipe of the tank to normally prevent the iiow of water from the tank, means being also provided for breaking the air-lock, allowing the water to ow, when it is desired to release the water.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a oat which will move to its uppermost position when released, to break the air-lock and start the siphon, means being provided for limiting the upward movement of said iioat.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, whichwill appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details' of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view illustrating a control mechanism, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mechanism, the upper end of the oat and float control bar, being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in` detail, the reference character 5 designates a flush tank, which is of the usual and well known construction. It will of course be understood that the tank is supplied with the usual inlet pipe and valve controlling the passage of water into the tank, but since the inlet pipe and valve controlling the water passing therethrough plays no part in this invention, it has not been illustrated.

The reference character 6 designates the outlet pipe which establishes communication between the flush tank and the closet bowl with which the flush tank is used.

Mounted within the ush tank, is an outlet pipe 1 which has its discharge end extending into the outlet pipe 6. As shown by Figure 4 of the drawings, the outlet pipe 1 is provided with a passageway 8, adjacent to the discharge end thereof, and formed by an integral pipe section housingthe discharge end of the outlet pipe. The overflow pipe indicated at 9 connects with the passageway 8, and directs overow to the outlet pipe 6.

The outlet pipe 1 is curved and is provided with a downwardly extended end portion I terminating in an upwardly extended portion Il, the end of the portion II being open, so that water may pass into the outlet pipe.

Ribs I2 are formed at opposite sides of the upwardly extended portion II of the pipe 1, and provide guides, throughout the length of the upwardly extended end portion I I, for the float which is indicated by the reference character I3, and which moves over the upwardly extended portion I I of the pipe 1.

The iioat I3 is hollow, the lower end thereof being open, so that it will lit over the upwardly extended end portion I I of the pipe 1. The oat is provided with a reduced end portion providing a shoulder I 4 adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the bar I which forms a part of the operating lever I6 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket I1 forming a part of the structure.

The bar I5 is formed integral with one end of the operating lever I6, and is provided with longitudinal ribs I8 extending laterally from one edge thereof, thel upper ends of the ribs extending along the upper edge of the bar I5, as at I9.

Secured to the float I3, are spaced arms 20 that have inwardly extended end portions 2I that engage the float I3 to insure the true vertical operation of the float at all times. y

It might be further stated that the float is appreciably longer than the upwardly extended end portion II of the outlet pipe, so` that a space is provided between the top of the oat and open upper end of the upwardly extended portion I I.

The bar 22, which has connection with the operating knob, not shown, is connected with the operating lever I6, through the medium of the rod 23.

Thus it will be seen that due tothe construction shown and described, the water flowing into the flush tank, will pass upwardly between the inner surface of the float and upwardly extended portion II of the pipe 1, compressing air in the space between the float and upper end of the upwardly extended portion Il.

When the lever I6 is moved upwardly, to the position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, it is obvious that the oat I3 Will move upwardly to create a siphonic action within the pipe 'I, causing the Water in the flush tank to flow therefrom.

As the iioat moves upwardly, the arms 20 engage the inwardly extended portions I9 of the ribs I8, restricting further upward movement of the float.

As the water passes from the flush tank, it is obvious that the bar I5 will swing to a position as shown in full lines in Figure 1, and. the float will be held in its normal position by the lower end of the bar I5 engaging the shoul' der I4.

With the float in the position as shown by Figure 1, it is obvious that water passing into the tank will nd its way into the space between the oat and upwardly extended end portion II of the pipe I, compressing air to provide an airlock atr the upper end of the pipe II.

What is claimed is:

In a flush tank, an outlet pipe extending into the tank and having a downwardly and upwardly extended end portion, a hollow float positioned over the upwardly extended end of said pipe normally closing said pipe, said oat being spaced from the pipe providing a water and air space, and adapted to create an air-lock at the end of the outlet pipe, a pivoted bar mounted within the tank and adapted to engage saidioat holding the float in its active position, ribs on said bar, arms on the oat and engaging said ribs and adapted to guide said oat in its vertical movements, means for operating said bar to release said float', and said float adapted to operate to cause a siphonic action within the pipe whereby the water in the tank is siphoned from theftank;

CHARLES H. TOPP., 

